Welcome to Pawsitive Steps – a source of information and activities to help children learn to read, so they like to read. Here you’ll find book recommendations, bingo boards, crossword puzzles, word searches and other fun activities based on stories read by Pawsitive Steps readers.
Pawsitive Steps programs included “Books in the Barn” and “Books with Boone” – mentoring programs I created to help children develop and improve their reading skills by partnering with a non-judgemental listener (a dog or a horse) in a unique environment (a small hobby farm) so they could build self-confidence through comfortable practice. The horses are now mostly pasture pets and the hobby farm setting has evolved to small town libraries, but the work continues.
My greyhound Boone and I are registered with Therapy Dogs International®, and I have completed additional training with Pet Partners® and Reading Education Assistance Dogs®.
Boone retired from a brief racing career several years ago, came to live with my husband and me through Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption, eventually spending some of his time in local libraries, lying on a blanket, listening to children read. Though he occasionally displays a few seconds of great speed, Boone generally lives up to his breed’s couch-potato reputation and his casual, social nature makes him an excellent listener.
I’ve been involved with assistance and therapy animals for over 30 years, and in addition to the reading program, have visited hospitals, schools, and residential care facilities with my registered therapy dogs, raised puppies for an assistance dog program, and volunteered with a therapeutic horseback riding program.
I’m registered with PATH International® as a therapeutic riding instructor and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning and have worked with occupational, physical and speech therapists who provide hippotherapy services, as well as a psychologist and social worker who developed an equine-facilitated mental health program.
From Four Sticks Farm 